Griddle Me This: Find Out Who Serves the Best Pancakes
This week, our taster tries flapjacks at three Lincoln-Way restaurants. Whose stack did she flip for?
For me, pancakes are the side and never the main event. So this week, I'm pitting three restaurants' two-cake stacks of basic buttermilk pancakes against each other as they come with the entree: no blueberries, chocolate chips or whipped cream here.
Also, I'm not judging the quality and taste of the syrup, as all three places seem to use a standard pancake (not actual maple) syrup, of which I use little, if any.
Double Yolk Pancake House, 11400 Lincoln Hwy., Mokena
The pancakes at Double Yolk were light (in both color and texture) and fluffy. Although they weren't raw in the middle, they were darn close, and because they were so soft, the second the butter and syrup hit them they became mushy.
The good: Large, tasty pancakes were beautifully presented, including a dusting of powdered sugar.
The bad: They could have stood another minute on the griddle.
Lumes Pancake House, 20594 S. LaGrange Road, Frankfort
The pancakes at Lumes were less impressive in appearance than Double Yolk, although they also were dusted with powdered sugar; they just couldn't compete with Double Yolk's fluffiness. Unfortunately, the powdered sugar contributed to the pancakes's chalky texture.
The good: Good pancakes served with remarkable speed and chipper service.
The bad: A slightly chalky texture was a minor turnoff.
Mattina Cafe and Pancake House, 426 E. Lincoln Hwy., New Lenox
The pancakes at Mattina were lightly cooked and not dusted with powdered sugar, but the adorable purple plate they were served on more than made up for the lack in the presentation's appeal.
The good: Delicately textured and flavored pancakes.
The bad: Even without powdered sugar or syrup, Mattina's pancakes are a bit too far on the sweet side.
WINNER: Double Yolk's pancakes. Although they were a bit underdone for my taste, their fluffiness and taste indicate the best batter recipe of the three.
Looking for local eats? Do you disagree with our taster? Head over to your local Patch Places food and dining directory. Find new spots, read reviews and even post a your own reviews on the profile pages.
Next week, while it's still a bit nippy, we're trying soups. Who has the best soup in the area? We're open to any variety: broth or cream based soups, chowders, even bisques. Just please, no split pea! Is there a place you've been curious about in Frankfort, Mokena or New Lenox, but want us to be your guinea pig? Commenting below automatically enters you to win a $50 gift card to a featured restaurant.
What is your favorite soup in the area? Where are the best pancakes? Do you bring your own real maple syrup to restaurants?
Tell us in the comments.
In This article
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Double Yolk Pancake House
11400 Lincoln Hwy, Mokena, IL (Suite 106) -
Lumes Pancake House
20594 S la Grange Rd, Frankfort, IL -
Mattina Cafe
426 E Lincoln Hwy, New Lenox, IL
Don Labriola
1:15 pm on Sunday, April 3, 2011
While Double Yolk has certainly built a good reputation in the short time they've been open in Mokena, you've really done your readers a diservice with such a small sampling of our fine restaurants. Eggcetera, Mokena Family Restaurant, Golden Oak, L.A. Cafe, Chef Klaus Country Kitchen and yes, Denny's, have been around much longer and all serve up a great stack of pancakes. Maybe next time you can go beyond throwing a dart while blindfolded and do a real sampling that your readers can sink their teeth into (yes, the pun was intended!).
Trustee Don
PrettyAuntPatti
7:30 am on Thursday, May 12, 2011
Abolsutely Chef Klaus' Country Kitchen is our favorite for breakfast - when they serve the wheat pancakes with homemade cinammon butter, you cannot get any better than that!
Ronald Smith
1:28 pm on Sunday, April 3, 2011
Regarding soups, try the caldo xachiti (chicken soup) at El Cortez in Mokena. It has a great tang to it. Likewise the avgolemono (egg lemon) soup at It's Greek To Me in Orland.
Caroline Evans
1:32 pm on Sunday, April 3, 2011
Hey Don,
I agree that there are many great restaurants in Mokena that serve fantastic breakfast food (I wish every meal could be breakfast). However, the point of the Chowdown Showdown column is to feature one restaurant from each of the Lincoln-Way Patches each week. Fortunately, we have no shortage of ideas for Chowdown Showdown, and I am sure we will eventually get to the restaurants you mentioned in your comment. Check back next week!
Don Labriola
6:35 pm on Monday, April 4, 2011
I can certainly understand the logistical difficulties involved, but I'm going to root for everyone on the home team every time, and I've had a great breakfast at every Mokena location. Maybe next time you can publish a list of restaurants that you chose from and give your readers a more comprehensive view of the process. With so many new residents moving into the area it would be nice to inform them about the number businesses we have of any particular type. Good job, just a little to abbreviated for me.
Trustee Don
N Yan
2:43 pm on Sunday, April 3, 2011
The BEST pancakes in the LW area by FAR is Country Charm. By far. Next close is Mattina and Eggcetera. Just outside in Tinley... Egg&I !!
Michael Sewall
2:13 am on Monday, April 11, 2011
Hey Nicole, you won the random drawing for commenting on this week's Chowdown Showdown. That means you will be one of four finalists in another random drawing at the end of this month to win a $50 gift card.
To everyone else who commented -- thank you for reading, and make sure to check out the latest Chowdown for another chance at the $50 gift card!
Eileen Bettenhausen
1:44 pm on Thursday, May 12, 2011
I agree with Nicolle Yaz Country Charm By far.
Might I suggest if you ever try pancakes instead of trying regulas ones Try the German Pancakes, they are not like regular ones and are baked in a cast iron pan served with lemon and powder sugar do not use syrup.
Joe Kirkeeng
3:22 pm on Sunday, April 3, 2011
The Mattina Special (which you can get with your choice - including Pancakes) is the best breakfast value in the LW area !!
Dee Miller
11:15 pm on Sunday, April 3, 2011
Mindy's in Mokena had a great afternoon cold weather special (not sure if it is still going) where you got a cup of soup and bread for $1.00. Soups were satisfying for the price.
Kerri U
10:55 am on Monday, April 4, 2011
You need to try Frankfort Meat & Deli for their homemade soup and breadbowl. I have never had any better than there and no I do not know the owners. I would like to see how you would rate them comparatively. Thanks for the info on the pancakes!!
Denise Du Vernay
12:51 pm on Monday, April 4, 2011
Does anyone have a favorite soup that they'd like to put in the running from Frankfort Meat & Deli? I know they serve several each day. Thanks, readers, and keep up the great comments!
Mary Caskey
8:36 pm on Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Williamson's in New Lenox (I80 & Rte 30) has the best Lemon Rice Soup. It is beautifully presented with a round loaf of warm bread served on a carving board with honey butter....yum!!
Julia Daly
9:31 pm on Tuesday, April 5, 2011
I am a huge fan of Double Yolk. I have eaten at Eggcetera, I have eaten at Denny's, and I have eaten at all other restaurants that were mentioned and by far Double Yolk is the best. There is no comparison when it comes to their great food and amazing service. Always a great experience at Da Yolk!
Eileen Bettenhausen
1:52 pm on Monday, April 11, 2011
Best soup of any kind is at Country Charm in New Lenox.
Nikki Sanders
11:18 am on Monday, April 18, 2011
Best Soup: French Onion soup at Tom Kelly's (behind Jewel in New Lenox). Classic and excellent.
Best Pancakes: Cherry Hill Cafe - on Rt 30, west side of New Lenox. (I prefer thir Pecan Pancakes.)